Is South Alabama the most underrated Group of Five team in the country?
The Jaguars won 10 games last season, but a blowout loss to Western Kentucky during bowl season seems to have placed the team behind Troy in 2023 expectations. I love Troy, as the Trojans’ defense is terrifying, and the offense has the pieces to take a noticeable step forward in 2023.
Still, South Alabama deserves more respect.
College football betting odds suggest South Alabama and Troy will battle for the Sun Belt West title again in 2023 – Troy won the 2022 meeting 10-6. BetMGM lists South Alabama’s win total at 7.5 with -135 odds for the over and +115 odds for the under. I’d lean toward the over, as I love the team’s roster.
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Tough offense
Carter Bradley doesn’t draw the headlines that Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall does, but Bradley is one of the Sun Belt’s best quarterbacks. He tossed 28 touchdowns last season to go with 12 interceptions. The Toledo transfer has game, and he should only improve in 2023 as he gains more comfort competing at the Sun Belt level with the same program.
Running back La’Damian Webb is one of the best in the Sun Belt, and the offense line should be among the conference’s best. South Alabama’s offense looks like it could be one of the two or three best in the entire conference, making it a dangerous threat all season long.
Last season, South Alabama averaged 31.2 points per game, the fourth-highest total among Sun Belt teams. Look for the Jaguars to average more than 30 points per game again in 2023, assuming key players like Bradley remain healthy.
Defensively, the Jaguars return significant talent from a group that ranked fourth in the league in scoring defense. A few minor improvements could lead to South Alabama being the undoubted best team in the Sun Belt. Don’t discount this program’s chances of making a New Year’s Six Bowl.
Schedule challenges
Unfortunately for South Alabama’s hopes of winning 10 games, the schedule has brutal moments. The Jaguars face Tulane, Oklahoma State, and JMU in September. All three of those games come on the road.
South Alabama also welcomes Marshall to town – a challenging East opponent to pair with JMU – and has to visit Troy in early November. It’s a hard schedule for the Jaguars.
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On the bright side for South Alabama, the Jaguars have a chance to become nationally relevant throughout 2023. Winning 8, 9, or 10+ games in 2023 will take elite play. If South Alabama can beat the toughest teams on its September schedule, South Alabama will break into the AP Top 25 and be viewed as one of the nation’s top teams outside the Power Five.
Even with a tough schedule, I like South Alabama to reach eight or more wins. I think the Jaguars will beat up on Sun Belt West foes, and games against Central Michigan and Southeastern Louisiana are quite winnable. The path to a special season is there, especially given the volume of returning standouts on the program’s roster.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports, and he works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation for Sports Handle and US Bets.
